Mountain Hike
National Park Centre Matrei in Osttirol – Virgen

Starting at National Park Centre in Matrei, walk along the left bank of the river down to the "Lienzer Straße" road. Proceed downward on the "Virgener Straße" road. Having crossed the Tauernbach stream, turn left and continue along the right bank of the stream until you reach the rushing Isel river. Hike into the valley along the banks of the Isel river. Take the first bridge across the Isel river and then the right-hand fork onto an access road leading to the Saint Nicolas Church, which is located atop a hill and can be seen from afar. When reaching a small chapel turn left to “Nikolaus-Kapelle”; later keep left again and follow the “Fußweg St. Nikolaus” (Saint Nicolas Footpath) to the cultural monument. Take the same route back to the already mentioned small chapel and turn left onto the access road. Cross the hamlet of Ganz proceeding into the valley. Follow a forest road marked with “Waldweg Mitteldorf” and “Mitteldorf” and stay on the right bank of Isel River (“Iselweg Virgen”). At some point the trail turns into a singletrack. Take the second bridge and cross the Isel river to reach the “Weg der Sinne” (“Senses Trail”) leading upward to Virgen, where you walk along the main road to the National Park Info Point.

Return to Matrei on foot along the way you came or, alternatively, by bus.